The C-WORD

Go ahead and say it. I dare you. I double dare you. Use a word that drips with controversy. A word that is splashed across magazine covers, book covers and song lyrics.

Confidence |ˈkänfədəns; -fəˌdens|noun • a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.

We are told to be confident everyday from our parents, teachers, celebrities and mentors. The key to happiness and self-acceptance is confidence. Confident people get the job, the relationships and the success.

But to me confidence is easy to define but harder to achieve.

There is no step by step guide. The word is just thrust upon us.

Is confidence not caring about what others think? Is confidence standing up straight when walking into a room? Is it looking in the mirror and liking what you see? Is it buying a new shade of lipstick and feeling good?

Personally, I feel confidence comes with age and experience. In a world where we value youth over EVERYTHING. I tend to find the most confident people are older, wiser and calmer.

I find myself gaining more confidence and self- acceptance as I leave my adolescent years behind and venture off into my twenties. I am getting more assertive. I care less about other people’s opinions on my style or life choices. Yet, I still get insecure about everything from my looks to my writing abilities.

Confident people either make others around them feel good or insecure.

There is also a fine line between confident and cocky. We’re told to love ourselves but wait, don’t love yourself too much. No one likes a bragger or an ego filled maniac. Here’s looking at you Kanye.

Overall, I think no one is ever 100% confident all the time. If they appear to be they're wearing a mask. Confidence is all about small moments of feeling at peace with yourself. The trick is to try and capture those fleeting moments and continue to feel those emotions a little bit everyday.

My lovely readers, if you are feeling confident I beg you to spread your energy. Compliment a friend’s outfit or look a stranger in the eye.

The C-word- go ahead & say it loud.

GRAZIE

Grazie means Thank You in Italian.

With Thanksgiving approaching, it is time for people (Canadians) to reflect on what they are grateful for. For me, Thanksgiving isn’t just a one-day event. I’m a firm believer in positive thinking. Yes, I’ve read The Secret. But it goes beyond that. I’ve noticed a common thread in most articles, or books about happiness. It seems that in order to be happy, you have to be grateful for what you have right now. It’s a simple concept that has been marketed, repackaged, and reworded; but it really does work.

Whenever my thoughts run rampant, I try my best to consciously stop and find something I’m grateful for. If I’m tired-I decide I’m thankful to have a bed to sleep in. If I’m bitchin’ about waking up early for school- I’m thankful for the chance to learn, and meet new people. It sounds trite, but it gives me a new perspective and changes my mood instantly.

I’m not trying to get all preachy and self righteous, because sometimes you just need to whine, moan and let it out. Trust me, I know. I just feel that giving thanks shouldn’t just be a yearly holiday.

So try it. Once you start you’ll realize you have way more than you ever imagined. 

Have a great long weekend!